Post Christmas update

Since Heather wanted some snowscape pictures, here are a few:

The driveway had largely melted off by the time I got back.  The parts that got snowblowed were clear, outside of a little bit of ice.

I could even get to the electrical panel.  Too bad we are getting 12-16" today.

I found another use for the PVC pipe.

I also ordered a new gas cap for the weed whacker today.  

Also came home to a bit of a surprise.  Yet another leak in the roof.  This time over the kitchen.  

It made a bit of a mess.  They supposedly fixed it before I took off for the LAN.

Lastly, my cobbled together power system for the cooler worked.  Maybe not the safest solution in the world, but the cooler is running off my computer power supply.  Yes those are exposed alligator clips onto 28gauge wire...

First big snowfall

Didn't get much done today, I was out at a Yankee swap last night, got home late and woke up later.  According to Andy, the AC cover has a foot of snow on it and has held up fine.  I went up and checked on the property today, since I hadn't been up there since the major snowfall on Friday night/early Saturday.  I didn't try to take the truck up the hill since the bank at the end was in the grille of the truck (there was more snow there than we got at my apartment), but everything looked fine.  The shed had already completely shed its snow, the roof was clear.  No leaks inside either.  The creek was high, but given the rain that followed the snow, I am not too surprised.  I am still debating on whether or not to bother snowblowing the driveway.  There is about a foot still up there that wasn't melted by the rain, but it isn't supposed to snow this week; it is supposed to be warm and sunny, so most of it will probably melt off.

Didn't make much progress on my winter projects (too busy sleeping and wrapping presents) but the parts have started to filter in.  I got an old mixer valve from a washing machine, and hope to start working on it this week, though I don't have a lot of time the next few days with Christmas on the way.

AC Cover ready for delivery.

I put the final touches on the AC cover today.  Those included trimming the fiberglass, putting another layer of resin on the sides, some sanding, and lastly installing the latches.  Because it is a completely tool-less design, the latches are mostly to aid in setting it up to keep things from falling over.  They are not intended to be load-bearing.  All of the work I did on the roof I performed while it was on the base, so it is sturdy enough without them.

The profile shot:


A side view:


The back:


A better look at the roof after running it over with sand paper.  It isn't as smooth as I would have liked, but I did learn a lot about fiberglass building this, so hopefully I can do a better job next time.  

I also went up to the property and put some final touches on the mailbox.  I now have numbers on both sides of the post.  I also put a few more screws and a bracket on the 4x4 junction.  Previously it only had one screw holding it together.  I didn't use the 4x4 bracket I had, but just a corner brace.  It should be fine.

While I was up there, I also put the stuff away that I wanted on the slab, like my bathroom sink.  It is all in the shed now.  I thought about tarping everything, but am not sure what that would accomplish.  The tractor has sat outside all of its life, as has the pushmower.  The only thing that might be worth covering is the grill, and that was never covered by its previous owners either.  I also briefly considered covering the trailer, but the trailer is all freshly primed and painted, it shouldn't be hurt by being out in the elements.  So for all intents and purposes, the clearning the stuff off the slab task is done.  I forgot my compressor (one of the tires on the tractor doesn't hold air) so I didn't try to jump the tractor and drive around on it.

I also noticed that the ground up there was frozen, though I might still call the guy for the gravel and the electric.

And with that, the only thing left on the winter checklist is the gravel and the electric:

1. Buy a new truck.
2. Install the outrigger supports on the shed.
3. Install the inter-rafter supports for the ridge board.
4. Rework the pilings for the shed.
5. Remove the trailer tanks.
6. Sand and paint the trailer.
7. Weld the new pieces onto the trailer.
• This will likely get pushed out to next year.
8. Put gravel down in the driveway.
• Nice to have.
9. Install driveway markers.
10. Stabilize the mowers.
11. Cover the piles and stuff on the slab.
12. Electrical panel work.
• Nice to have
13. Install the mailbox.

I have also started a list of winter projects.  Those will be cropping up on here shortly.  The current slate of winter projects (in no particular order):

• Valve controller for the washer.
• Build the desk/entertainment center.
• Design/build the platform/loft.
• Complete the detailed trailer design and BOM.

Fiberglass laid, another thing checked off the list.

Today was a productive day.  I got the supports installed in the shed, and checked another item off the list.


I also got everything prepped for fiberglass.


I did it in two parts.  One per sheet of fiberglass.  The first sheet didn't go well, though it was my first time ever doing fiberglass work.  I learned a lot of things.


I completed the top.


I need to figure out something for the sides.  I tried just wrapping the cloth and dousing it with resin, but it didn't stick.  I might just put a layer of resin on it and call it good enough.


A list of things I learned:

• First and foremost, DO NOT use a foam brush.  The resin is too thick and heavy, and it tears the foam apart.  It also doesn't have enough rigidity to put a nice finish on it.
• Mat would have been a much better choice than cloth.  The cloth comes apart when tugging on it trying to press the air bubbles out.
• It is easier to pour it on the wood and then spread it out with the brush.  
• It uses a lot more resin than expected.  

A couple more finishing touches and it will be ready for delivery.  

For the winter checklist, it is getting really small.  The only thing left that is required is to cover the stuff.  I would still like to get the electrician and gravel done, but those can wait for spring.

1. Buy a new truck.
2. Install the outrigger supports on the shed.
3. Install the inter-rafter supports for the ridge board.
4. Rework the pilings for the shed.
5. Remove the trailer tanks.
6. Sand and paint the trailer.
7. Weld the new pieces onto the trailer.
• This will likely get pushed out to next year.
8. Put gravel down in the driveway.
• Nice to have.
9. Install driveway markers.
10. Stabilize the mowers.
11. Cover the piles and stuff on the slab.
12. Electrical panel work.
• Nice to have
13. Install the mailbox.